Support strap dispensers and holsters for use with same

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for storing and dispensing a rolled support strap, including but not limited to hanger straps (sometimes referred to as “plumber&#39;s tape”) such as those sold under the trade name TAB TAPE®, as well as assemblies that include a dispenser and a rolled support strap therein, and associated methods. A holster for holding the dispenser, as well as a system including a holster and a dispenser, are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/659,007,filed Mar. 16, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/969,116, filed Mar. 22, 2014 and entitled“Support Strap Dispensers And Holsters For Use With Same,” each of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present inventions relate generally to dispensers for support strapsand to holsters for such support strap dispensers.

2. Related Art

Support straps are commonly used to secure mechanical and electricalbuilding components, such as plumbing pipes, conduit, heating and airconditioning ducts, and water heaters, to building support structures orto suspend these components from building support structures. In theexemplary context of hanger straps (sometimes referred to as “plumber'stape”), a flexible strip of material, such as sheet metal (e.g., a 24 or28 gauge strip of copper-plated steel or galvanized steel) orpolypropylene, is attached at one end to a support member such as abeam, post, or wall stud. The other end of the strip is wrapped aroundthe pipe or conduit and attached in some manner to the first end,thereby forming a loop which supports the conduit. Support straps willoften include regularly spaced holes along the length of the strap, andsome support straps include fasteners to facilitate the connection ofone portion of the strap to another after the formation of the loop.

Support straps are commonly distributed in roll form. The length of thesupport strap in the roll is such that many individual straps will becut from the roll. The installer will unroll a portion of the strap andremove it from the remainder with a metal cutting tool. Exemplary rolllengths include, but are not limited to, 10 feet, 25 feet and 50 feet.The support strap rolls are commonly held with one hand and cut with atool held in the other hand during the unrolling and cutting process.The support strap rolls are also commonly stored within tool boxes orthe like during periods of non-use. The present inventor has determinedthat conventional usage and storage methodologies associated withsupport strap rolls are susceptible to improvement. For example, theresiliency of the rolled support strap can cause the support strap tomove as the user is trying to cut it. The thin metal material that formsthe support strap may also have sharp side edges that can injure theuser. The support strap roll may also unwind or be otherwise disfigured,and/or the support strap may be bent, when stored in a tool box.

The present inventor has also determined that it would desirable for auser to be able to remove support strap from a support strap dispenserwithout having to hold the support strap dispenser with one of his/herhands.

SUMMARY

A support strap dispenser in accordance with at least one of the presentinventions includes a housing with an internal storage region and anoutlet, and an apparatus, associated with housing, that is configured tofrictionally engage the support strap to prevent unwanted movement ofthe support strap. The present inventions also include an assembly whichhas such a support strap dispenser and a support strap roll locatedtherein. The present inventions also include methods of dispensing asupport that include the steps of storing the support strap in rolledand frictionally engaging the support strap to prevent movement of thesupport strap relative to the outlet absent user-applied force.

A holster, for use with a support strap dispenser, in accordance with atleast one of the present inventions includes a plurality of walls thatdefine a storage region for the support strap dispenser and at least oneoutlet opening, which the dispenser outlet will be aligned with when thedispenser is in the storage region, and a retainer that maintains thedispenser in the storage region.

A system in accordance with at least one of the present inventionsincludes a support strap dispenser including a housing with an internalstorage region configured to store a support strap roll and a dispenseroutlet, and a holster including a plurality of walls that define astorage region for the support strap dispenser and at least one outletopening, which the dispenser outlet will be aligned with when thesupport strap dispenser is in the storage region, and a retainer thatmaintains the support strap dispenser in the storage region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventions will bemade with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support strap dispenser in accordancewith one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the support strap dispenserillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the support strap dispenserillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another portion of the support strapdispenser illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the support strap dispenserportion illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the support strap dispenserportion illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dispenser head in accordance with oneembodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of the dispenser head illustrated inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the support strap dispenser illustrated inFIGS. 1-8 with a support strap roll located therein and a portion of thedispenser housing removed so that the interior is visible.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of the support strap dispenserillustrated in FIGS. 1-8 with a support strap roll located therein and aportion of the support strap extending through the dispenser outlet.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a support strap dispenser in accordancewith one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the supportstrap dispenser portion illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the support strapdispenser portion illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the support strapdispenser portion illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a portion of the support strap dispenserportion illustrated in FIG. 11 in an open state.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a portion of the support strap dispenserportion illustrated in FIG. 11 in an open state.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a holster in accordance with one embodimentof a present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the holster illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the holster illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the holster illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a support strap dispenser in accordancewith one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a support strap dispenser and holstersystem in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the system illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the system illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the system illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a rear view of the system illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 27 is a rear view of the system illustrated in FIG. 22 with theorientation of the support strap dispenser reversed as compared to claim26.

FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of a holster latch in accordance withone embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view of the latch illustrated in FIG.28.

FIG. 30 is a section view showing the latch illustrated FIGS. 28 and 29and a portion of a dispenser prior to latching.

FIG. 31 is a section view showing the latch illustrated FIGS. 28 and 29and a portion of a dispenser after latching.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of the best presently knownmodes of carrying out the inventions. This description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the inventions.

The present inventions include, but are not limited to, support strapdispensers, dispenser holsters and systems including support strapdispensers and dispenser holsters. Exemplary dispensers are discussedbelow with reference to FIGS. 1-16 and 21, exemplary holsters arediscussed below with reference to FIGS. 17-20, and exemplary systems arediscussed below with reference to FIGS. 22-27.

As illustrated for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support strap dispenser100 includes a housing 102 having end walls 104 and 106 and a side wall108 therebetween. The housing 102 defines an interior storage region110, in which a support strap roll can be stored and protected fromdamage, and an outlet 112 through which portions of the support strapmay be pulled. The housing 102 may be provided with a flat surface 114that allows the strap dispenser 100 to rest in an upright position on afloor, table or other flat support surface. Apertures 116 and 118, whichextend through end walls 104 and 106, perform a number of functions. Forexample, the apertures 116 and 118 form a handle through which the usercan place his fingers, with the thumb in the indentation 120, duringuse. Holding the strap dispenser 100 (with the support strap rollcarried therein) reduces the likelihood that an edge of the supportstrap will injure the user, and also allows the other hand to hold acutting tool. The apertures 116 and 118 also define windows that allowthe user to see how much of the support strap roll (not shown here)remains within the support strap dispenser 100. A support member 122,which extends from end wall 104 to end wall 106, provides structuralsupport to maintain the spacing between the walls and, in someinstances, defines an axle for the support strap roll. Each wall 104 and106 may also be provided with reinforcing members 124 that augment thestructural integrity of the wall. The reinforcing members 124 may belocated on the exterior surface (as shown), the interior surface, orboth. The housing may also include aperture 125 for a D-ring or otherstructure that allows the support strap dispenser 100 to be connected toa tool belt or the like.

Although the present dispensers are not limited to any particular shape,the exemplary housing 102 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is generallydisc-shaped. One end of the exemplary housing 102 has the flat surface114, and the other end of the housing includes the outlet 112 and adispenser head 126. During use, and as is explained in greater detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 7-10, the user pulls portions of thesupport strap stored within the dispenser 100 through the outlet 112prior to cutting off the desired length of support strap. The dispenserhead 126 fixes the position of the support strap when the support strapis not being pulled, thereby preventing inward and outward movement ofthe support strap.

The exemplary housing 102 is defined by a pair of housing members 102 aand 102 b. The housing members 102 a and 102 b may, in some instances,be partially or fully separable from one another in order to facilitateplacement of the support strap roll into the storage region 110. Thehousing members 102 a and 102 b respectively include one of the endwalls 104 and 106, and portions 108 a and 108 b of the side wall 108. Inthe illustrated implementation, the housing members 102 a and 102 bpivot relative to one another. A hinge about which the housing members102 a and 102 b pivot is located adjacent to the flat surface 114, and alatch mechanism that locks the housing members 102 a and 102 b in theclosed state illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is located on the dispenserhead 126. The respective locations of the hinge and latch, which arediscussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 3-6, may varyin other implementations.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing members 102 a and 102 b eachinclude a portion of the hinge. In the illustrated arrangement, thehousing member 102 a includes a pair of arms 128 that have a wall 130which defines an indentation 132. The housing member 102 b has acorresponding pair of pins 134. The respective sizes and locations ofthe arms 128 and pins 134 are such that, when the housing members 102 aand 102 b are brought together, the arms will deflect slightly and thepins will snap into the semi-circular portion of the indentation 132.The housing member 102 b is also provided with clearance slots 136 thatthe arms 128 move in to as the housing member 102 a pivots away for theorientation illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the open position.

The exemplary support strap dispenser 100 is also configured toautomatically lock when the housing members 102 a and 102 b pivot fromthe open position to the orientation illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Tothat end, and referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the exemplary latch includeslatch member 138 that cooperates with a latch surface 140. The latchmember 138, which is carried by the housing member 102 b in theillustrated embodiment, has a deflectable beam 142 and a projection 144with a cam surface 146. The projection 144 may extend laterally over aportion of the width of the beam 142 (as shown) or all the way acrossthe beam. The latch surface 140 is formed on the housing member 102 badjacent to the indentation 120. The housing member 102 b is alsoprovided with a slot 148. As the housing members 102 a and 102 b arepivoted toward one another, the cam surface 146 will engage the edge 150of the slot, thereby deflecting the beam 142. The projection 144 willthen slide along the surface of the slot 148, as the beam 142 remainsdeflected, until the projection 144 reaches the edge 152 of the slot148. The resilience of the beam 142 will then cause the flat surface 154on the projection 144 to engage the latch surface 140.

The stiffness of the beam 140 will maintain the latch in the latchedstate until the beam is deflected (upwardly in the illustratedorientation) to such an extent the flat surface 154 on the projection144 is free of the latch surface 140. This may be accomplished by, forexample, placing a thumb in the recess 120 and then pushing the latchmember 138. The housing members 102 a and 102 b can then be separated bypivoting them about the aforementioned hinge.

It should be noted here that the present dispensers are not limited toany particular hinge or latch arrangement. For example, the hinge may beomitted and two separable housing members may be provided that can beattached and detached as necessary.

The housing 102 may also be provided with various alignment and supportfeatures. In the illustrated implementation, and referring to FIGS. 3and 4, housing portion 102 a includes a pair of posts 156 with pinreceptacles 158 and housing portion 102 b includes a pair of posts 160with pins 162. The posts 156 and 160 are sized and positioned such thatthe pins 162 will be located within the pin receptacles 158 when thehousing 102 is in the closed state illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thesupport member 122 is defined by a pair of support member portions 122 aand 122 b that abut one another when the housing 102 is in the closedstate. The number and location of such alignment and support featuresmay differ in other implementations.

When a support strap roll is placed into the storage region 110, theouter portion of the roll will be located radially inward of the posts156 and 160 and the lower guide 168 (discussed below) but for theportion of the support strap roll that has entered the dispenser head126. In many instances, the portion of the support strap roll that isapproaching the dispenser head will rest against the inner surface 164(FIG. 3) of the side wall 108.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, the exemplary dispenser head 126 includes anupper guide (or “first guide”) 166, a lower guide (or “second guide”)168 and a gap 170 therebetween. The housing portions 102 a and 102 binclude identical mirror image portions of the upper guide 166, lowerguide 168 and gap 170, and the discussion below is applicable to bothhousing portions. The support strap passes through the gap 170 on itsway to the outlet 112, and the frictional forces between the supportstrap and portions of the upper guide 166 and lower guide 168 preventunwanted movement of the support strap relative to the dispenser head126. The upper guide 166, lower guide 168 and gap 170 in the illustratedimplementation undulate over their respective lengths. In particular,the upper guide 166 includes a surface with a convex region 172, aconcave region 174 and an apex 176 between the two. In the illustratedembodiment, the side wall inner surface 164 and the upper guide convexregion 172 together define a smooth, continuous surface. As discussedbelow with reference to FIG. 9, the apex 176 applies afriction-generating force to the support strap that bends the supportstrap. The lower guide 168 includes an end 178, which defines the pickup(or entry) point where the support strap enters the dispenser head 126as well as a convex region 180 and a concave region 182. The lower guideend 178 also applies a friction-generating force to the support strap.

In some implementations, including the illustrated implementation, thelower guide 168 may also have a recess 184 that accommodates protrusionsthat may be found on some support straps (e.g., the support strapillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,571 and sold under the trade name TABTAPE®). As a result, the exemplary lower guide 168 has a pair of spacedguide surfaces (or rails) 186 that are separated by the recess 184.

The materials and size of the dispenser 100 will depend on the intendedusage. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, thermoplasticpolymers such as polypropylene. A dispenser 100 that is configured for26-28 gauge support strap rolls that range from 10 to 25 feet in length(unrolled) may be about 5 to 6 inches in height and width. The thicknesswill depend on the width of the intended support strap.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the exemplary support strap dispenser 100 with arolled support strap 200 carried therein. Although the presentinventions are not limited to any particular support straps, theexemplary support strap 200 includes a main body 202 and a plurality ofapertures 204. The main body 202 has a top surface 206, a bottom surface208 and side edges 210 and 212. Suitable support strap materialsinclude, but are not limited to, copper, galvanized steel andpolypropylene, that is about 0.75 to 1.5 inch wide and about 0.016 inchto about 0.013 inch thick (i.e. about 26-28 gauge).

The support strap 200 is wound into a spiral roll, with the radiallyoutermost portion 200 a entering the dispenser head 126 by way of thegap 170. As a result of being wound into a spiral roll, the supportstrap 200 defines a first curvature. The magnitude of the firstcurvature may vary over the length of the support strap and may even bezero (i.e. support strap 200 may be straight) just prior to entering thegap 170 at the lower guide end 178. The lower guide end 178 and supportstrap portion 200 b engage one another with enough force, in a directiongenerally perpendicular to support strap portion 200 b, to bend thesupport strap 200 at the point of engagement into a second curvature. Asa result, there is a friction force between the lower guide end 178 andsupport strap portion 200 b that resists outward and inward movement(note arrows A and B) of the support strap 200 relative to the dispenserhead 126. The relative thicknesses of the gap 170 and support strap 200,and the undulating shape of the upper guide 166 and the lower guide 168,results in the support strap being spaced apart from (and out of contactwith) the upper guide and the lower guide between the upper guide apex176 and the lower guide end 178. The upper guide apex 176 and supportstrap portion 200 c engage one another with enough force, in a directiongenerally perpendicular to strap portion 200 c, to bend the supportstrap 200 at the point of engagement into a third curvature. The secondand third curvatures are in different directions in the illustratedembodiment, and may be of the same magnitude or different magnitudes. Afriction force is created between the upper guide apex 176 and supportstrap portion 200 c that also resists outward and inward movement of thesupport strap 200 relative to the dispenser head 126. It should also benoted that friction force is applied to both the top and bottom surfaces206 and 208 of the strap main body 202.

The combined magnitude of the friction forces between the dispenser head126 and the support strap 200 is large enough to prevent unwantedmovement of the support strap in or out of the dispenser 100. The rolledsupport strap 200 may, for example, store potential energy that iscreated when the support strap is rolled, when the support strap isplaced into the dispenser 100, and/or when a portion of the supportstrap is pulled through the outlet 112 by the user. Absent the frictionforce, the support strap 200 could move after the user has pulled thedesired length support strap through the outlet 112, released the end ofthe support strap, and is holding the dispenser 100 with one hand and acutting tool with the other. The overall friction force should not,however, be so high that it precludes the user from pulling the supportstrap through the outlet 112.

The friction force may also be adjusted in a variety of ways. Forexample, the thickness of the gap 170 (or a portion thereof) may bereduced to a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of thesupport strap 200, thereby increasing the amount of dispenserhead/support strap contact. The upper guide 166 and/or the lower guide168 may also be reconfigured such that the bending of the support strapis more or less severe and/or occurs at additional or fewer points alongthe support strap. The smooth, undulating curvatures of the upper guide166 and/or the lower guide 168 may be replaced with sharper corners andmore abrupt changes in direction. Surface roughening may also beemployed. Additionally, or alternatively, friction generating forces maybe applied to the side edges 210 and 212 of the support strap 200 tocontrol its position within the dispenser head 126.

It should also be noted that the first and second guides 166 and 168 maybe reoriented from their illustrated upper/lower orientation. Forexample, there may be instances where the portion of the support strap200 within the dispenser head 126 is rotated to some extent from itsillustrated orientation (e.g., ninety degrees) about its longitudinalaxis. Here, the first and second guides would be correspondingly rotatedand, therefore, could be referred to as “right” and “left” guides, orsimply “side,” guides.

Another exemplary support strap dispenser is generally represented byreference numeral 300 in FIG. 11. Support strap dispenser 300 isessentially identical to support strap dispenser 100 in structure,function, materials and operating methodology, and similar elements arerepresented by similar reference numerals. For example, support strapdispenser 300 includes a housing 302 having end walls 304 and 306 and aside wall 308 therebetween. The housing 302 defines an interior storageregion 310, in which a support strap roll can be stored and protectedfrom damage, and an outlet 312 through which portions of the supportstrap may be pulled. The housing 302 is also provided with a flatsurface 314 that is discussed in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 14-16. Apertures 316 and 318, which extend through end walls 304and 306, form a handle and define windows in the manner described above.A support member 322 is also provided, as are reinforcing members 324 oneach wall 304 and 306.

The exemplary housing 302 is defined by a pair of housing members 302 aand 302 b that pivot relative to one another about a hinge 328 (FIGS.14-16). A latch mechanism, including exemplary latch member 338, thatlocks the housing members 302 a and 302 b in the closed stateillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be located on the dispenser head 326.The location of the latch member 338 is offset from the location oflatch member 128 in dispenser 100.

Turning to FIGS. 12 and 13, the exemplary support strap dispenser 300also includes a dispenser head 326 that fixes the position of thesupport strap when the support strap is not being pulled by the user,thereby preventing inward and outward movement of the support strap.Like the dispenser head 126, the dispenser head 326 includes an upperguide (or “first guide”) 366, a lower guide (or “second guide”) 368 anda gap 370 therebetween, each of which undulate over their respectivelengths. The support strap passes through the gap 370 on its way to theoutlet 312, and the frictional forces between the support strap andportions of the upper guide 366 and lower guide 368 prevent unwantedmovement of the support strap relative to the dispenser head 326 in themanner described above. The lower guide 368 in the illustratedimplementation also has a recess 384 that accommodates protrusions thatmay be found on some support straps and a pair of spaced guide surfaces(or rails) 386 that are separated by the recess 384. Here, however, aplurality of triangular structures 385 are located within the recess 384and are longitudinally spaced along the gap 380. The triangularstructures 385 facilitate loading the support strap (e.g., support strap200 in FIGS. 9 and 10) into the dispenser 300. In particular, thetriangular structures 385 guide one of the support strap side edges(e.g., side edge 210 or 212) onto one of the guide surfaces 386 as thesupport strap placed into one of the housing members 302 a and 302 bwhen the dispenser 300 is in an open, and guide the other support strapside edge onto the other guide surface as the housing members arebrought together to close the dispenser.

As illustrated for example in FIGS. 14-16, the housing flat surface 314is formed from flat portions 314 a and 314 b on housing members 302 aand 302 b. Each flat portion 314 a and 314 b includes a pair ofprotrusions 315 that support the dispenser 300 when it is placed in anupright position on a floor, table or other flat support surface. Theflat portions 314 a and 314 b also serve as the location at which thehousing members 302 a and 302 b are pivotably connected to one another.To that end, one or more hinges (e.g., living hinges) 328 connect thehousing members 302 a and 302 b to one another at the flat portions 314a and 314 b.

One example of a holster for a support strap dispenser is generallyrepresented by reference numeral 400 in FIGS. 17-20. The exemplaryholster 400 includes front and rear walls 402 and 404 that are connectedto one another by side walls 406 a and 406 b and by a bottom wall 408.The walls 402-408 together define a dispenser storage region 410, adispenser insertion/removal opening 412, and a pair of outlet openings414 a and 414 b. Depending upon the orientation of the dispenser, thedispenser outlet will be located in one of the outlet openings 414 a and414 b when the dispenser is fully inserted into the storage region 410.The outlet openings 414 a and 414 b are defined by wall edges 416 a-422a and wall edges 416 b-422 b. The front wall 402 also has an edge 424that aligns with the dispenser aperture when the dispenser in thestorage region 410, as is discussed below with reference to FIG. 22,while the rear wall 404 has curved upper edges 426 a and 426 b.

The exemplary holster 400 illustrated in FIGS. 17-20 may also includeone or more retainer mechanisms that hold the dispenser in the storageregion 410. In the illustrated implementation, movable tabs 428 a and428 b are carried by the side walls 406 a and 406 b and are biased tothe position illustrated in FIGS. 17-20. The tabs 428 a and 428 b areseparated from the coextensive portions of the side walls 406 a and 406b by slots 430 a and 430 b. As such, the exemplary tabs 428 a and 428 bmove by pivoting about the ends that are secured to the side walls 406 aand 406 b as a dispenser is moved in and out of the storage region 410,and through the insertion/removal opening 412, by the user in the mannerdescribed below with reference to FIG. 22.

The exemplary holster 400 illustrated in FIGS. 17-20 may also includeone or more retainer mechanisms that mount the dispenser on the user. Inthe illustrated implementation, the holster 400 includes a resilientclip 432 that may be used to mount the holster on, for example, a belt,tool belt, or a pant waist. The resilient clip 432 may be formed as anintegral part of the holster 400, or formed separately and attached tothe holster.

The materials and size of the holster 400 will depend on the intendedusage and the size of the associated dispenser. Suitable materialsinclude, but are not limited to, thermoplastic polymers such aspolypropylene.

One example of a support strap dispenser that may be used in conjunctionwith the holster 400 is generally represented by reference numeral 300′in FIG. 21. Support strap dispenser 300′ is essentially identical tosupport strap dispenser 300 in structure, function, materials andoperating methodology, and similar elements are represented by similarreference numerals. For example, support strap dispenser 300′ includes ahousing 302′ that defines an interior storage region 310, in which asupport strap roll can be stored and protected from damage, and anoutlet 312′ through which portions of the support strap may be pulled.The interior storage region 310 is visible by way of apertures 316 and318. The outlet 312′ has a recess 384′ that is slightly deeper thanrecess 384 (FIG. 12), and the latch 338′ is slightly thicker than latch338 (FIG. 12).

Turning to FIGS. 22 and 23, a system 20 in accordance with the presentinvention includes a dispenser (e.g., dispenser 300′), with or without arolled support strap carried therein, and a holster (e.g., holster 400).The exemplary support strap dispenser 300′ and holster 400 arerespectively sized and shaped such that the dispenser will fit snuglyinto the storage region 410 and the movable tabs 428 a and 428 b willkeep the dispenser in the storage region until the user pulls thedispenser out of the holster. To that end, in exemplary system 20, thewidth W_(D) of the dispenser housing 302′ at its widest point isslightly greater (e.g., about 3-5 mm greater) than the distance D_(T)between the free ends of the tabs 428 a and 428 b. As the dispenser 300′is pushed into the holster 400 through the insertion/removal opening 412in the direction of the arrow (or the holster is pushed over thedispenser), the outer surface of the dispenser will push the tabs 428 aand 428 b apart when the widest point WP of the dispenser reaches thefree ends of the tabs. The resiliency of the tabs 428 a and 428 b causesthem to return to the position illustrated in FIG. 22 as the widestpoint WP passes the free ends and the dispenser 300′ reaches the fullyinserted position illustrated in FIGS. 23-25. Here, portions of theholster 400 will abut portions of the dispenser 300′ above and below (inthe illustrated orientation) the widest point WP, thereby trapping thedispenser in the storage region 410. The resilience of the tabs 428 aand 428 b is such that the dispenser 300′ will not pop out of theholster during normal use, yet will allow the user to easily place thedispenser into the holster 400 and also remove the dispenser therefrom.It should also be noted that the distance between the front and rearwalls 402 and 404 of the holster 400 is essentially equal to thethickness of the dispenser 300′ in the illustrated implementation (noteFIGS. 24 and 25).

As alluded to above, the respective configurations of the support strapdispenser 300′ and holster 400 are such that the windows defined by thedispenser apertures 316 and 318 will be aligned with the holster frontwall edge 424 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 23-25 when thedispenser is fully inserted into the holster storage region 410. Thedispenser storage region 310 will, therefore, be visible by way of theapertures 316 and 318 when the dispenser 300′ is located within theholster 400. As best seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, the dispenser outlet 312′will be aligned with one of the outlet openings 414 a and 414 b (outletopening 414 a in the illustrated orientation) when the dispenser 300′ isfully inserted into the holster 400. In addition, the positions of theedges 416 a-422 a that define opening 414 a and the positions of theedges 416 b-422 b that define opening 414 b (note FIGS. 18 and 20) inthe illustrated implementation are located such that the dispenseroutlet 312′ protrudes though the outlet opening that the outlet isaligned with when the dispenser 300′ is fully inserted into the holster400.

The holster 400, and/or the associated dispenser 300′, may also bemechanically keyed or otherwise configured to prevent rotation of thedispenser relative to the holster as lengths of support strap 200 arepulled from the dispenser.

In the illustrated implementation, the holster 400 includes a peg orother projection 434 (FIG. 20) on the bottom wall 408 and the dispenser300′ includes an aperture 388 (FIG. 21). The projection 434 will enterthe aperture 388 when the dispenser 300′ is in the fully insertedposition illustrated in FIGS. 23-25, thereby preventing rotation of thedispenser. The projection 434 is also centered on the bottom wall 408such that it will be aligned with the aperture 388 regardless of theorientation (i.e., the FIG. 26 orientation or the FIG. 27 orientation)of the dispenser 300′. In other implementations, the locations of theprojection and the aperture may be reversed, and other anti-rotationkeying arrangements may be employed.

Turning to FIGS. 26 and 27, the respective configurations of the supportstrap dispenser 300′ and the holster 400 are such that the orientationof the dispenser may be reversed. The holster 400 is symmetric about itsvertical axis VA. Regardless of orientation, the dispenser outlet 312′will be aligned with one of the outlet openings 414 a and 414 b, one ofthe window-defining dispenser apertures 316 and 318 will be aligned withthe holster front wall edge 424, and the holster projection 434 will belocated in the dispenser aperture 388. Orientation of the dispenser 300′and the holster 400 relative to one another in the manner illustrated inFIG. 26 facilitates placement of the system 20 on, for example, theuser's left hip. So positioned, the outlet 312′ will face forwardly sothat the user can conveniently pull strap through the outlet withhis/her left hand and cut the strap with a cutting instrument in his/herright hand. Alternatively, when the dispenser 300′ and the holster 400are oriented relative to one another in the manner illustrated in FIG.27, the system 20 may be placed on, for example, the user's right hip.So positioned, the outlet 312′ will face forwardly so that the user canconveniently pull strap through the outlet with his/her right hand andcut the strap with a cutting instrument in his/her left hand. In both ofthese instances, the mounting of the dispenser 300′ in the holster 400onto the user (by way of a belt, tool belt, etc.) eliminates need forthe user to hold the dispenser with one hand while pulling support strapwith the other.

Turning to FIGS. 28 and 29, the holster 400′, which is essentiallyidentical to holster 400 in structure, function, materials and operatingmethodology, may include a latch 436 in place of the projection 434 inholster 400. The exemplary latch 436 includes one or more latch members438, and there are four latch members 438 in the illustrated embodiment.Each latch member 438 includes a deflectable (or “pivotable”) post 440and a head 442 with first and second cam surfaces 444 a and 444 b. Thereis also a gap 446 between each adjacent pair of latch members 438, anaperture 448 adjacent to each latch member 438 that extends though thebottom wall 408, and a central aperture 450.

The holster 400′ may be used in conjunction with a support strapdispenser 300″ that is essentially identical to support strap dispenser300′ in structure, function, materials and operating methodology. Here,however, the aperture 388 (FIG. 21) is replaced by the aperture 388′illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31. The aperture 388′ includes a taperedsurface 389 which is configured to interact with the latch member camsurfaces 444 a.

The holster latch 436 may be secured to the dispenser 300″ as follows.The dispenser 300″ and holster 400′ will approach one another (FIG. 30)until the cam surfaces 444 a engage the tapered surface 389. Continuedmovement will cause the latch member posts 440 to deflect inwardly, andout of their rest state, so that the latch member heads 442 can passthrough the aperture 388′. The latch member posts 440 will remain in theinwardly deflected state until the heads 442 pass completely through theaperture 388′. At this point, the latch member posts 440 will pivot backto their rest state and the cam surfaces 444 b will rest against aninner surface 303 of the housing 302′, thereby latching the dispenser300″ to the holster 400′. This results in a more securedispenser/holster connection than that associated with the projection434. The cam surfaces 444 b will cause the latch member posts 440 todeflect inwardly, thereby releasing the latch 436, when the dispenser300′ pulled out of the holster 400′ by the user.

Although the present inventions have been described in terms of thepreferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions tothe above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent toone skilled in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, thepresent inventions include assemblies that comprise a support strapdispenser as described above in combination with a support strap rolllocated in the internal storage region of the support strap dispenser.The dispensers described above may also be used in conjunction withwire, adhesive painter's tape and other dispensable objects that arestored in roll form and, in at least some instances, cut to length asthey are consumed. The present inventions also include assemblies thatcomprise a holster as described above or claimed below in combinationwith a dispenser that dispenses wire, adhesive painter's tape and otherdispensable objects that are stored in roll form and, in at least someinstances, cut to length as they are consumed. It is intended that thescope of the present inventions extends to all such modifications and/oradditions.

I claim:
 1. A holster for use with a support strap dispenser having anoutlet, the holster comprising: a plurality of walls that define astorage region for the support strap dispenser and at least one outletopening which the dispenser outlet will be aligned with when thedispenser is in the storage region; and a retainer that maintains thedispenser in the storage region.
 2. A holster as claimed in claim 1,wherein the plurality of walls define first and second outlet openings.3. A holster as claimed in claim 2, wherein the holster defines avertical axis and is symmetric about the vertical axis.
 4. A holster asclaimed in claim 1, wherein one of the walls defines a rear wall, theholster further comprising: a resilient clip on the rear wall.
 5. Aholster as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises first andsecond movable tabs.
 6. A holster as claimed in claim 5, wherein theplurality of walls comprises a front wall, a rear wall, first and sidewalls that extend from the front wall to the rear wall, and a bottomwall that extends from the front wall to the rear wall; and the firstand second movable tabs are respectively mounted on the first and secondside walls.
 7. A holster as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: arotation prevention device that prevents rotation of the support strapdispenser relative to the holster as support strap is pulled from thedispenser.
 8. A holster as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality ofwalls comprises a front wall, a rear wall, first and side walls thatextend from the front wall to the rear wall, and a bottom wall thatextends from the front wall to the rear wall; and the rotationprevention device comprises a projection on the bottom wall that extendsinto the storage region.
 9. A holster as claimed in claim 7, wherein therotation prevention device comprises a latch that extends into thestorage region.
 10. A system, the dispenser comprising: a support strapdispenser including a housing with an internal storage region configuredto store a support strap roll and a dispenser outlet; and a holsterincluding a plurality of walls that define a storage region for thesupport strap dispenser and at least one outlet opening which thedispenser outlet will be aligned with when the support strap dispenseris in the storage region, and a retainer that maintains the supportstrap dispenser in the storage region.
 11. A system as claimed in claim10, wherein the plurality of holster walls define first and secondoutlet openings; and the respective configurations of the support strapdispenser and the holster are such that the dispenser outlet will bealigned with the first outlet opening when the support strap dispenseris within the storage region in a first orientation, and the dispenseroutlet will be aligned with the second outlet opening when the supportstrap dispenser is within the storage region in a second orientation.12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the holster defines avertical axis and is symmetric about the vertical axis.
 13. A system asclaimed in claim 10, wherein one of the holster walls defines a rearwall; and the holster includes a resilient clip on the rear wall.
 14. Asystem as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retainer comprises first andsecond movable tabs.
 15. A holster as claimed in claim 14, wherein theplurality of holster walls comprises a front wall, a rear wall, firstand side walls that extend from the front wall to the rear wall, and abottom wall that extends from the front wall to the rear wall; and thefirst and second movable tabs are respectively mounted on the first andsecond side walls.
 16. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein thefirst and second movable tabs define respective free ends that areseparated from one another by a distance; and the support strapdispenser defines a maximum width that is greater than the distancebetween the free ends of the movable tabs.
 17. A system as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the holster and the support strap dispenser areconfigured to mechanically engage one another when the support strapdispenser is within the storage region such that the support strapdispenser will not rotate relative to the holster as support strap ispulled from the support strap dispenser.
 18. A system as claimed inclaim 17, wherein the holster includes a projection; the support strapdispenser includes an aperture; and the projection is located within theaperture when the support strap dispenser is within the storage region.19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plurality of holsterwalls comprises a front wall, a rear wall, first and side walls thatextend from the front wall to the rear wall, and a bottom wall thatextends from the front wall to the rear wall; and the projection is onthe bottom wall.
 20. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein theholster includes a latch that extends into the storage region; thesupport strap dispenser includes an aperture; and the latch is locatedwithin the aperture when the support strap dispenser is within thestorage region.
 21. A system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:a support strap roll located within the support strap dispenser.